The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood aims to open a new facility in the East End by next year, an expansion the nonprofit believes will double the number of people to whom it can provide care annually.

The nonprofit has already bought property in the neighborhood and plans a $5 million investment there, said its president and CEO, Paulette McElwain, in an interview Thursday. It finalized its plans for the location – its second in the region and sixth in the state – after the Virginia General Assembly expanded Medicaid coverage to thousands earlier this year.

“There’s really a dearth of access to reproductive health care up there,” McElwain said of the neighborhood, home to some of the city’s poorest residents. “There’s a lot of folks that are about to be insured that don’t have access to doctors.”

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So thrilled by this news, especially in today's environment. Proud to support them and their incredibly important work of providing affordable healthcare to communities. Virginia League for Planned Parenthood

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